Nikon
D810
36MP full-frame DSLR workhorse prized for landscape, studio, and commercial stills.
$3,299
Launch priceReleased Jun 2014
Nikon
Z5 IIC
Screen-first, viewfinder-free full-frame Z mount body: 24.5MP BSI sensor, EXPEED 7 AF with fish detection, 7.5-stop IBIS, 15 Scene Modes, and N-RAW video.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Oct 2026
Z5 IIC is 12.3 years newer.
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Wins
D810
Wins
Z5 IIC
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD810 has higher Burst (mechanical) (5 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher Max video bit rate (420 Mbps vs 42 Mbps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher AF points / zones (273 vs 51)
- BZ5 IIC has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 12,800)
- AD810 has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 1,040,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
D810
146 × 123 × 82 mm
980 g (2.16 lb / 34.57 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 × 72 mm
620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)
D810 is 12mm wider, 42mm taller, and 10mm thicker than Z5 IIC.
D810 is 360 g heavier than Z5 IIC.
Depth (front-to-back): 82mm D810 · 72mm Z5 IIC
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D810
146 × 123 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D810
146 × 82 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D810
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Z5 IIC
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D810
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z5 IIC
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D810
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
5 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 146, 123, 81.5
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 1,040,000 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds MPEG-4
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Card types
Adds CompactFlash
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 350 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z5 IIC
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -2 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.7, 72
Max video bit rate
420 Mbps vs 42 Mbps — higher is better
AF points / zones
273 vs 51 — higher is better
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 12,800 — higher is better
Card types
Adds SDHC, SDXC
1080p max frame rate
120 fps vs 50 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Microphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support microphone jack (3.5mm)
- ✓Headphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support headphone jack (3.5mm)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D810
Pros
- ✓36MP no OPLF
- ✓Excellent dynamic range
- ✓Pro F-mount ecosystem
Cons
- –Superseded by D850
- –Slow live view AF
- –Heavy
Z5 IIC
Pros
- ✓Lightest full-frame Z body (620g)
- ✓15 Scene Modes — first on a Nikon FX mirrorless
- ✓EXPEED 7 AF, 10 subject types incl. fish
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS + Focus Point VR
- ✓N-RAW internal recording, UVC/UAC webcam
Cons
- –No built-in EVF — rear screen only
- –Single SD UHS-II slot
- –No mechanical shutter
- –4K 60p is DX (APS-C) crop only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D810 and Z5 IIC at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D810
Nikon Z5 IIC
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D810 or Z5 IIC?
Z5 IIC scores 6.5/10 versus 3.5/10 for D810 — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the D810 and Z5 IIC?
D810 is 36.3 MP and Z5 IIC is 24.5 MP, so the D810 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D810 and Z5 IIC have in-body image stabilization?
D810 does not have IBIS, while Z5 IIC has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D810 or the Z5 IIC?
D810 reaches 20 fps electronic. Z5 IIC reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D810 and Z5 IIC?
D810 weighs 980 g and Z5 IIC weighs 620 g, so the Z5 IIC is 360 g lighter.
Do the D810 and Z5 IIC record 4K video?
D810: 4K up to 60p. Z5 IIC: 4K up to 59.94p.
Are the D810 and Z5 IIC weather sealed?
D810: Yes. Z5 IIC: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D810 and 350 shots for the Z5 IIC, giving the D810 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D810 launched at $3,299 and Z5 IIC at $1,399. The Z5 IIC is $1,900 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D810 vs Z5 IIC vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.